COSTS OF DEMENTIA IN LOW-AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

International audienceBackground The proportion of people living with dementia in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) is expected to reach 71% by 2050. Appraising the economic burden of the disease may contribute to strategic policy planning. Objective To review studies conducted on the costs of dementia in LMICs, describe their methodology and summarize available costs estimates. Methods Systematic review, including a search of health, economics and social science bibliographic databases. No date or language restrictions were applied. All studies with a direct measure of the costs of dementia care were included. Results Of the 6,843 publications reviewed, 17 studies from 11 LMICs were included. Costs of dementia tended to increase with the severity of the disease. Medical costs were greater in the mild stage, while social and informal care costs were highest in the moderate and severe stages. Annual cost estimates per patient ranged fro